Waiting for War

Kally

No matter how much sleep he gets, Ken has dark purple loops under his eyes. His usually sarcastically smiling lips are stuck in a frown, cracked lipped and pale. I've never seen this version of Ken. It's like he's deteriorating from the inside out.

We walk towards the shuttle as I lace my arm through his. He freezes and then he lets it happen. His skin is cold, his arm less sturdy than it's ever been.

"Ken, I don't know what's going on with you, and I know for a fact you won't tell me, but I'm your friend, and I do care about you," he doesn't respond but doesn't shove me away either. He just keeps his elbow wrapped around mine.

The station is filled with milling students from both universities, other adults, and small children attached to their parents at the hip.

I'm almost on the shuttle when i trip, one arm still attached to Ken. A hand shoots out to support me, strong and confident. I look over. It's Luke. He pulls away.

"Sorry, I didn't want you to fall," he says. His eyes look like they're in pain, worried about something he can't control. What's wrong?

We step onto the shuttle and make our way towards the back. Ken sits in the middle of Luke and I, and rests his head on my shoulder. I can smell his woodlands cologne I used to obsess over, his shaggy blonde hair covering his face, his black hood shoved over to cover his curls. I lay my head on Luke's shoulder.

I guess it's a good time as any to take a nap.

I must have fallen asleep because when I'm awake the shuttle is already moving and clearly has for a while. I pull my head up from Luke's shoulder to look him in the eye.

"Good morning," he whispers with a faint smile. I lay my head back down, a burning feeling that has nothing to do with the temperature of the shuttle is creeping over me. Why did I never notice how hot he is. And the moment I think it the burning in my chest expands.

"You good?" He asks leaning towards me.

I gulp.

"Yeah, it's nothing," i keep my eyes away from his. They've always had these lashes that are too long and too dark, that frame his eyes perfectly. So why can't I look at him now?